The high prince took two quick steps toward Elisava, but Kassandr’s hand shot out, capturing his father’s raised palm before the slap could land. “Caution, Father. The nobles watch on.”
A vein pulsed in the high prince’s temple as he shook free from Kass’s grip. “You will hold your tongue, girl,” he hissed.
The doors to the council chambers crashed suddenly open, drawing the room’s collective gaze. A Zagadkian warrior in full armor rushed down the aisle, and Kassandr recognized the sigil on his breast, placing the man as a wolf shifter within Posadnik Volk’s forces. The warrior paused before the dais, bowing his head low.
“Sire.”
“What is the meaning of this?” the high prince snapped. His ornate golden coat swirled around him, yet his face had drained of color. “Stand and explain, warrior.”
“A message has just arrived from the ocean gate, sire.”
The room grew deathly still, but Kassandr’s mind ran in circles.No,he thought, shoving a hand into his hair.It is too soon. We need more time—
But the words the warrior spoke were unstoppable. “The ocean gate lies in ruins. The Urkan fleet has breached the Kovosk River. They will reach the city gates within the hour, Sire.”
Skip Notes
*Older brother.
Part 2
SaplingS
A person should tend to the oak if they want to live under it.
—Egil’s Saga
Chapter 23
Kovograd, Zagadka
Saga stared vacantly at the crowd before her, fingers tapping frantically on the wooden arms of her chair. Her breaths came in rapid gasps, her heartbeat too quick, and she tried to focus on what was happening in the council chambers around her. The high prince releasing a low, despairing sound. Oleg spitting guttural curses in Kassandr’s direction. The nobles and elders pulling at their hair, shouting to their four gods.
Through the mayhem, Saga’s fingers tapped.
Too late.She was too late to escape this place and draw Ivar’s ire with her. Now the Urkans were here, and King Ivar would take his anger out on Kassandr and the innocents of Zagadka.
“How is this possible?” bellowed Oleg. “The ocean gate! Where are the signal fires, warrior?”
The messenger who’d burst into the chambers shifted on his feet. “W-we believe the guards were killed or captured before the beacon fire could be lit. There was no smoke for the watchtowers to see. Nothing seemed amiss. Everyone—” His voice broke. “—they’re all dead or taken hostage. It was only when a merchant ship arrived that the slaughter was discovered and a falcon sent to Kovograd.”
Oleg turned on Kassandr. “The blood of those men is on your hands, brother,” he snarled. The veins on his neck strained, and his eyes flickered that strange, lupine yellow.
“What orders have you, Sire?” asked the warrior, glancing nervously among the three Rurik men on the dais.
“Orders?” repeated the high prince dazedly. Kassandr’s gaze narrowed as his father stared blankly at the chaos unfolding before him.
Saga saw the moment something switched inside Kassandr. He stepped toward the messenger. “Does Posadnik Volk have eyes on the ships?”
The warrior nodded.
“Good. Where are the Urkans this minute?”
The warrior’s gaze darted to the high prince before settling back on Kassandr. “They’ve portaged the Crone’s Revenge.”
“That is so near!” exclaimed Oleg. “How are we hearing this only now?”
The messenger swallowed.
